Center spent all of 2013-14 with AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Ben Holmstrom on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Holmstrom $600,000 in the NHL or $200,000 in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 2014-15 season.

“Ben has served as Adirondack’s team captain and brings more veteran leadership to our system,” said Francis.

Holmstrom, 27, completed his fifth professional season in 2013-14, appearing in 75 games with the Adirondack Phantoms. The Colorado Springs, CO, native totaled 13 goals, 19 assists (32 points) and 146 penalty minutes, ranking fourth among Phantoms skaters in points and fifth in goals and penalty minutes. Holmstrom (6’1”, 197 lbs.) was recalled by the Philadelphia Flyers on April 23 and served as a black ace during the team’s opening-round playoff series against the New York Rangers.

Signed by the Flyers a free agent following a four-year career at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Holmstrom made his NHL debut on March 3, 2011, and has appeared in seven career NHL games. He has served as Adirondack’s team captain for the past three seasons, and ranks third in Adirondack Phantoms history in games played (256), second in goals (49) and fourth in assists (73) and points (122).